HUGE mobile phone masts as tall as Nelson's column could be built without permission across the countryside, if new proposals are approved.

The Government is recommending an overhaul of planning rules in England to speed up the roll out of 5G networks and improve mobile coverage in rural areas.

The news will come as a relief to some in rural Hampshire who struggle to get a good connection but could also be contentious for those keen to protect the area's countryside. 

Reporter Aimee Smith took to the streets of Basingstoke to find out whether there was a public apetite for better signal and bigger phone masts. 

Tony Cullen, 59, from Andover said: “Some of them are an eyesore but I’m not totally against it if it improves the phone signal. I would’ve thought that most people would want a stronger phone signal rather than an eyesore, as long as it’s not outside your back garden.”

Basingstoke Gazette:

Paul, 80, from Southampton and pictured above, said: ‘If people want 5G phones and then yeah the only way they are going to get them is to put a mast up.”

Sue Clerk, 63, from Basingstoke said: “It will be better for coverage in the town centre as there are so many places where you can’t get signal like when I’m trying to get my husband and his phone isn’t working.”

Michelle, 40, from Hook said: “It depends where it is going to go to be honest, I suppose you won’t want it close to your house. The phone signals are alright but I live in a village so they can be a bit hit and miss so it probably would improve service.”

John Smith, 45, from Basingstoke said: "I would like it quick as possible, yeah it is brilliant."

Linda Russell, 63, from Hatch Warren said: “I think that you have to move with the times and this is the way forward.”

Sarah, 19 from Basingstoke said: “As long as it doesn’t look obstructive I think it will be alright and if it improves the signal then I don’t mind.”

Rodger, 52, from Devon said: “I don’t see any problems with it as its needed, but I’m used to being in rural areas with no signal.”

Thomas, 56, from Rooksdown said: “I think it’s okay yeah it would be good to get better signal as where I live in Rooksdown I can’t get a phone signal.”

Laura, 33, from Basingstoke said: “I guess it is good to have better signal if there is no signal in those areas and I don’t really mind how they look.”

Lesley, 57 from Basingstoke said: “It depends where they are, as long as they are not right by my house and not in a residential area.”

Mark, 24, from Basingstoke said: “All I know about 5G is that it might or might not be bad but it is probably a good idea as it is pushing the world forward.”

Whereas others were not aware of these plans or didn’t feel that this would affect them.

John, 65, from Tadley said: “I think if they don’t stick it in your area then it doesn’t matter does it, but personally I just have a mobile phone for emergency use and I don’t use it for anything else so I don’t need 5G so it doesn’t really affect me.”

Tiana, 20, from South Ham and pictured below, said: “I’ve heard bad things about it, but it will be helpful for some people but then lots of people will be like I don’t want that here and around me.”

Basingstoke Gazette:

Basingstoke Gazette: Pictured: Sarah Pictured: Sarah

Shaun, 57, from Andover said: “I’m assuming it will be a good thing, but it could be a bit of an eyesore so maybe from an environmental point of view I don’t know if it will be any good.”

Valerie, 60, from Tadley said: “It doesn’t affect us as we’re a bit older and we are not technically minded and although it might not be very environmentally friendly there isn’t anything we can say that will change it.”

Allan, 72, from Hook said: “It doesn’t really affect me a lot as I only really use my cell phone to telephone and email.”

Lindsey, 25, from Basingstoke said: “I don’t really use data much so it doesn’t really affect me.”